Holding a broom, I swept the floor of my room when I heard the doorbell chime. Putting my broom away, I went downstairs with my bunny slippers and pajamas and saw Naomi, who was waving at me. She was wearing her pink dress, which almost covered her knees. I gave a small chuckle when I opened the front door and we squeezed each other with both arms. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9g2KjOARR
"Hey Bugsy," Naomi chirped. "How are you doing?"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHikE389syR
"I'm doing fine, pal," I smiled back. "What are you doing here?"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXN2n9jBI4
"I'm Inviting you to hang out with me and Ferdinand at the playground, silly. Why else would I be here?"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhn1piyLQr
"I'll be downstairs shortly," I rushed back upstairs. "Can't be wearing PJs and house slippers at the park."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg9mzJiWVB
I went for a quick shower and clad myself in a white T-shirt and blue gingham dress, paired with cream-coloured sneakers. As I walked back downstairs, Naomi was sipping on her latte with Aunt Inara. "I'm ready," I announced. Naomi gulped down her last bit of coffee and thanked Aunt Inara, leaving three one-dollar notes on the table.568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpquKeVP4uW
"Be careful out there," advised Aunt Inara."
"I will, auntie. I promise."
As we walked out of the coffeehouse, the cool wind brushed against my blonde hair as the flower petals poured from the trees like confetti. As we reached the playground, I saw Ferdinand sitting on the swing, calling our names. Naomi and I ran towards the swing and greeted Ferdinand with a hug. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6y0TJujSX
"Hey girls," Ferdinand gleamed. "Been waiting for you all morning."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcovzmvhNC
"You've been here almost an hour," Naomi lightly punched his shoulder. He rolled his eyes as we sat beside him, cross-legged. "So how's your wound?" I asked Naomi. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1dnt4KUTa
"It's doing fine," replied Naomi, as she unwrapped her bandages, only to reveal blue-black wound on her leg.568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyo7GlPtdY
Ferdinand let out a small gasp and covered his eyes while my eyes widened. "That doesn't look fine, Naomi," I shuddered in fear. "You should see a doctor."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPLecdwdUa
"You're being dramatic, Bugsy," Naomi giggled, dismissing my advice. "I'm in the pink of health, I promise."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ40AKNHQqR
He snorted at her lame puns as he took the courage to open his eyes and get off the swing, examining the spider's bite mark. "Is it just me or am I seeing purple fur spreading on your legs?"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOUI5oKCWK
I squinted my eyes and leaned my head forward, stroking the unusual body hair on her leg. "You're right, Ferdinand. It looks like a crypt spider's fur. We need to see Mr Hathale."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgTJGH7wIn
"I'm fine, guys," she frowned. "I don't need a doctor."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphVkauUv2K
Before she took a single step, she collapsed on the coarse ground, unconscious. Panicked, Ferdinand shook Naomi to wake her up, but to no avail. "Don't panic, Ferdinand," I kneel and placed my hands on his shoulder. "We have to take her to Mr Hathale. He'll know what to do."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OJLuPUC1Y
He nodded and lifted Naomi with both hands, staring at me. "What about you, Bugsy?"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDYyCelENa
"I'll get her mother," I answered. "She needs to know the truth about Naomi."
"Roger that, Bugsy. See you at Mr Hathale's."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzh9YUgis6
Wiping the sweat off Naomi's forehead, Mr Hathale sighed as he flipped a thick book and examined her wound on her leg, before staring at us. "How did she get bitten by the crypt spider?" he raised a question.568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oFN63wZuY
"She was fending off the spider," I spilled the truth. "I was attacked by this creature but Naomi saved me instead."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU8R5IVfYK
"That was very brave of her," Mr Hathale praised. "It's unfortunate for her to get bitten by this monster."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUxCLqR9Jy
"But you can cure her, right?" asked Mrs Watanabe, who was tapping her right foot non-stop. "I heard from Bugsy that you're the best traditional healer in Slaborough."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlG25DRfbj
He nodded. "It's true, Mrs Watanebe, however, it's not a simple task to get the antidote."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmrocP616I
"How much do I have to pay?"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqDJUjsIVU
"There's no cost for this antidote, but you'll have to retrieve them from the spider's saliva."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxxCC4V5WK
I squirmed at his remarks. "That's quite gross and frightening at the same time."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQgbaBJAtS
"Is there any other option, Mr Hathale?" Mrs Watanabe asked. "Besides a spider's saliva?" 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WhyD2rZBM
He shook his head. "This is the only way to prevent Naomi from becoming a crypt spider, ma'am."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu4A2UZ9L8
"Can you explain more about this crypt spider? I don't really understand at all."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZYbVzzGKg
"When the European settlers began to enslave and murder our tribes, the Lord wasn't pleased with their actions, so He punished those greedy white men by becoming crypt spider until the end of time."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5O6O9zV5x
Ferdinand's eyes widened. "I heard about how the Europeans committed genocide against the Natives but I didn't know that they were cursed to wander the Earth as monstrous spiders."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8T20wJ7nu
"You're lucky you've consulted me at the early stages, otherwise your friend you have been a goner."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2krAdikRXp
"Early stages?" I raised my eyebrows. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD12AF9iUsT
"The early stages to become a crypt spider are fainting and blue-black wounds, which is easier to cure. The later stage, however, is when she craved for human meat and uncontrollable rage, which cannot be cured at that point."
I nodded and stood up. "I'll get the antidote by myself," I proclaimed, with both hands my hips. "It's my fault Naomi got bitten and I have to fix this problem."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ0ZzgYCpF
"You're not going anywhere, Bugsy," Ferdinand protested. "Not without me."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3NKyA9Jy3
"I appreciate both your sentiment, kids," said Mrs Watanabe, who jumped from her seat. "But this is too far dangerous for both of you."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKD2LLjmJi
"Don't worry, Mrs Watanabe," I assured. "We know the way to the cave."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNEBvBfB6e
Mr Hathale got up and grabbed a glass bottle and a bag of cubed beef, passing it to me. "This is to keep the spider's saliva. Don't lose it. Good luck, both of you."
"Thank you, Mr Hathale," I answered, as both of us headed out from his shop, taking a step onto the pavements.
As he shut the door, Ferdinand and I sprinted across town, bumping into townsfolk. "Watch it," said Dr Yasmin, who was idling outside the clinic. I apologized and eventually caught up with Ferdinand, who was running on the emerald green grasslands, bloomed with the pinkish prairie smokes, fluttering with the wind.568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAtiKYnsNZ
We entered the forest and was greeted by the multicoloured wildflowers, which were covered by the adorable bumblebees and the dazzling butterflies, collecting nectar. Welcomed by the evergreen forest, Ferdinand and I held hands as we were awed by the beautiful springtime, leaving behind the harsh winter we endured. I took a deep breath as sweet-smelling flowers filled the air, turning my frown into a smile. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gEpG7BO6U
If only Naomi were here to admire the beauty of spring. Too bad she's too sick to see all this. "We should get going," I uttered to Ferdinand. "Naomi's counting on us."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aL8qmwma6
Ferdinand nodded. "Nothing wrong to stop by and smell the flowers once in a while, Bugsy."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uravyvX80
"Still, we have no time to waste."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0omXQbsGYt
He rolled his eyes. "You're such a party pooper."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmkVvV58SO
We ventured deeper in the forest where the colour of the flowers faded and the sunshine in the skies loomed, leaving the trees to turn black. The cool air around us suddenly turned cold as we climbed back to the cave, surrounded by the high-pitched screams from a distance as we saw the sunset from the horizon.568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn0SBeFdQ4
"Looks like we better hurry," I warned Ferdinand. "Before things get worse."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzlDMKlhO6
He nodded and followed me inside the cave, watching hundreds of bats flying out of the cave into the night skies. As we tiptoed towards its nest, a swarm of crypt spiders was crawling on the wall, watching us. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjoyjgG3ZV
I gulped as I went closer towards the spiders, pouring the meat onto the cave floor. I took a few steps backwards as all the spiders sniffed the food I brought, and gobbled it up, leaving a trail of saliva. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsaEnmkmm1
Ferdinand opened the glass bottle and let the saliva flow inside, before shutting it with a cork. Noticing the spiders battling each other, we turned around and bolted out of the cave as fast as lightning, sighing in relief. "Come on," I panted. "We have to hurry back before sunrise."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi95NwLeNkv
"Right," he answered, before he stumbled onto a rock, yelping in pain. I leaned closer as I inspected his knees, and found blood flowing all over his legs. "Go," Ferdinand's voice strained. "I'll catch up."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlwNKirrYu
I shook my head as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and lifted him up as he staggered, hissing in pain. "It's alright," I assured him. "We'll get there as soon as possible."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizmA38FfKu
"We won't make it back at sunrise, Bugsy," he shuddered. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe43GwINB0G
"Don't say that," I scolded. "You'll be home in no time."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDyDBoBaMt
We continued our pathways when the cricket's symphony in the forest began to cease, leaving the surroundings silent. All of a sudden, the lantern from the fireflies blew out, turning our surroundings pitch black. A soft lullaby was played in the background, making our spines shiver. The air around us felt bitter as a shadowy figure appeared in front of us, staring.568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxilf7DiZ4
"Who's that?" asked Ferdinand, covering his face on my shoulders. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe7nv8Y6k7
"I don't know," I stroked his jet black hair as I glared at the shadowy figure. It slowly approached in our direction and my vision turned black.568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbiEI4noUj
"Bugsy," called Ferdinand. "Bugsy, wake up."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsiWEpfTOZ
I rubbed my eyes and found myself lying on the grass, dazed. "Where is that monster?" I asked, holding his warm hands. "How did we get here?"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljInn3JPJb
He placed his index finger on my lips and embraced me. "It's alright, Bugsy," he whispered in my ears. "We've escaped him."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsT2dHQObH
"What about you-"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tO87xB2jj
"We should go," he helped me got up, giving me the antidote. I tightened my lips and ran towards Mr Hathale's Glass Shop, where we watched in horror as Naomi was shaking in a vigorous manner. Handing Mr Hathale the antidote hastily, he slid a drop of the antidote into Naomi's mouth, causing her to lay still on the bed, with Mrs Watanabe panting.568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmba9Gt9Oi
Minutes passed and Naomi opened her eyes and smiled as Ferdinand and I sat beside her. "Are you okay?" I asked, holding her hand. 568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvAiBdJCGs
"A bit better, actually," she nodded as she checked her leg, chuckling. "At least my wounds heal."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2jXBqByX8
Mrs Watanabe thanked Mr Hathale as she and her daughter embraced each other. "I was worried sick about you," she cried. "I'm glad you're safe now."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcxR98WRJq
Ferdinand and I glanced at each other as we shook hands with Mr Hathale, grateful for what he did back there. "You both were brave," he praised. "I'm happy this incident is over."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi3xh7wR4h
I watched the moonlight illuminating the navy blue sky when Ferdinand approached me. "You're alright?"568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV4R9BocqQ
"I wanted to ask you something," I mentioned. "But you've interrupted me."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPbmdIIPM0
"Can we talk about this tomorrow?" he moaned. "It's been a long, tiring day, Bugsy."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG7mFvWhzE
I sighed. "Fine, but you will tell me what happened in the woods."568Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn9gA1s2hs
He wrapped his arms around my shoulder and leaned my head on his shoulder. "I promise, Meredith."
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